Mears added: “I can’t imagine what it would be like to get an individual gold, to do it with my mate is incredible.”

Mears was fifth alongside Nick Robinson-Baker at London 2012, just three years after his accident, which happened in Australia and left medical professionals giving him a five per cent chance of survival.

“When I went into London and competed really well there, that was really emotional for me, because of what had happened to me,” Mears added. “London changed me as a person. I became a bit more mature.”

Mears and Laugher teamed up in 2014 and won Commonwealth gold. World bronze followed last year and European gold was claimed in May before the Olympic title here.

It was their first win on the global stage, in World Cups, World Championships or Olympics.

The British pair, who are housemates in Leeds, led at the halfway point of the competition, which took place in typically British conditions. It was cold and raining.